Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha, Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Lake Bunyonyi Safari

After breakfast, a morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains brings the chance to spot Cape buffalo, elephant herds, lion and the notoriously elusive leopard, among other wildlife. You’ll return to your accommodation for rest and lunch, before heading out for a two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The wildlife along the way, hippo, elephant and crocodile among them, is genuinely fascinating, and the water’s edge draws a strong variety of birdlife too. The cruise wraps up around 4 pm, after which you can relax at the lodge or head out for a further late afternoon game drive through to around 6:30 or 7 pm

An early start brings one last game drive across the Kasenyi plains, keeping watch for Cape buffalo, elephant, lion and leopard. After checking out, the route continues to the Ishasha sector in search of its famously tree-climbing lion, roughly a seventy per cent chance of a sighting, though they can be tricky to spot when resting low in the grass. Should you find them, the sight is genuinely picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, the journey continues to accommodation at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the Ruhija sector, arriving in the evening around 6 pm. An optional Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trek is available in place of the sunrise game drive, at an additional $50, though the trekking permit needs to be secured in advance.

After breakfast, you’ll head to the rangers’ post for a briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking, before entering Bwindi Forest for the adventure itself. Time and terrain vary considerably depending on the gorillas’ movements that day, but once your group locates a family, you’ll be permitted a full hour in their presence, an unforgettable experience observing these gentle, endangered giants up close. Afterwards, you’ll check out and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, framed by lush, terraced hills rising to between 2,200 and 2,478 metres, its 29 islands of varying shapes and sizes scattered magically across the water, worth admiring for a full day if you had the time.

A relaxed breakfast comes with a spectacular view of Lake Bunyonyi’s small islands right in front of you. From there, you’ll hit the road for the return journey to Entebbe, arriving in the late afternoon or evening in time for your flight out, typically 6 pm or later. Expect a stop at the equator for lunch along the way, and plenty of opportunity for memorable photographs.